UH commits $5M in student-athlete pay despite failure at Legislature

The University of Hawaii (UH) has committed $5 million to name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals for student-athletes in the upcoming 2026-27 academic year, despite the Legislature rejecting a $5 million funding request and a $1.5 million compromise proposal. The university, which has about 500 student-athletes across 21 teams, sought the funds after a July 2023 antitrust settlement against the NCAA allowed schools to use public funding for NIL deals up to 22% of athletic revenue, including ticket sales and media rights. UH Athletic Director Matt Elliott stated in a May 20 interview that the department had already promised the $5 million budget to student-athletes for next year, following the university’s men’s volleyball team winning a national championship the prior month. The funding request, which gained House support but faced Senate opposition, failed in a final vote after UH’s chief financial officer requested a deferral. The university is exploring ways to cover the expense, with Elliott saying, 'We’re in the budget process now... We’ll find a way.' Historically, UH athletics has relied on other university funds to cover deficits. The $5 million commitment adds to the $3 million already allocated for NIL deals in the current academic year, raised from private donors, with over $1.6 million secured so far. UH officials argue that staying competitive in the NCAA’s Mountain West Conference requires $5 million annually in NIL deals beyond private funding. The university hosted legislative briefings in November to explain the new era of collegiate athletics following the antitrust settlement, where coaches like Timmy Chang and Laura Beeman emphasized the need for compensation to retain top talent and avoid a 'death spiral' of declining fan interest.